I've been watching your progress, it reminded me of what I've been doing for the last year in my new garden in France, clay soil too, large lawn, blank canvas. It's hard work isn't it? Do you still have that gorgeous pink clematis on the arch? Dr Ruppel I think. I liked it so much I bought one for my old garden, but I've had to leave it behind.
It certainly is hard work. Yes, Dr Ruppel, I do still have it though this year it really hasn't grown well and is still only about 4ft tall. You can see it (or lack of it) in the photo below on the left of the arch. The soil around it might be unsuitable now, I might dig it up this autumn and replant it in lots of compost etc.
On the other side of the arch I have a different clematis which has never grown well, yet this year it chooses to romp away and will hopefully soon be in flower.
Desperately trying to keep Alfie our Labrador off the new border, for some reason he likes to do his business against the privet hedge and has been strolling across the border to get there. Alfie simply doesn't care!!
I want to find a nice stone bird bath to place at the front of the border amongst the plants, and maybe a bird feeding station somewhere close to the patio.
I've been setting the sprinkler to work today, think you can see it in action in this photo, it certainly makes a nice easy job of watering the new plants.
Just tried to do a count, there are approx 130 plants that I've planted into the border. About 30 of them I already had in my garden, the remaining 100 have been grown from seed in my greenhouse. Hate to think what that would have cost had I bought them from a garden centre, I certainly couldn't have afforded to buy them!
The Mongolian Giant sunflowers are romping away, I've paced then close to the border so they catch the water from the sprinkler...
Seeing as I created this border for pollinators, I'm pleased to see some of the first bees to take an interest on the Cerinthe major Purpurascens as they begin to flower, as well as the cosmos..
I have been out in the garden this afternoon looking at what most attracts the pollinators and the winner is Veronicastrum (absolutely covered in bees of all sorts). If you have the space now it is well worth planting one as they are stately and attractive plants anyway and bloom over a long period if dead-headed.
I have been out in the garden this afternoon looking at what most attracts the pollinators and the winner is Veronicastrum (absolutely covered in bees of all sorts). If you have the space now it is well worth planting one as they are stately and attractive plants anyway and bloom over a long period if dead-headed.
That looks a nice plant, will definitely consider getting one, thanks
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On the other side of the arch I have a different clematis which has never grown well, yet this year it chooses to romp away and will hopefully soon be in flower.
Desperately trying to keep Alfie our Labrador off the new border, for some reason he likes to do his business against the privet hedge and has been strolling across the border to get there. Alfie simply doesn't care!!
I want to find a nice stone bird bath to place at the front of the border amongst the plants, and maybe a bird feeding station somewhere close to the patio.
I've been setting the sprinkler to work today, think you can see it in action in this photo, it certainly makes a nice easy job of watering the new plants.
Seeing as I created this border for pollinators, I'm pleased to see some of the first bees to take an interest on the Cerinthe major Purpurascens as they begin to flower, as well as the cosmos..